Sydni is on the cover!

My photographer friend, Rachel Law, submitted some pictures to be selected for a magazine. And they picked Sydni's 2 yr fall pic for the COVER ISSUE!! We are beyond excited...here is a link to the cover and you can buy your very own issue there. Now, I REALLY want this to be their best selling issue EVER so break out the mastercard please :)

http://www.adoptivefamilies.com/table_of_contents.php

Photoshop actions

Here is Averi straight out of the camera...


This one is called "fresh and colorful". Probably my favorite...










This is "black and white beauty". I love this too but as much as I love black and white I can't get away from my girl(s) red hair.











This is a way cool action called "vintage". Doesn't this pic look like it was taken in the 20's or something??? Very cool...











And I guess I should probabyl give credit to these very cool actions. I didn't come up with them myself thats for sure! I visit a site called http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/. It is an eclectic blend of cooking, photography and life. She is my hero.

So which one of these pics is your favorite??

eta...I don't know why there is so much spacing in this post...it doesn't look that way when I edit. And the pics aren't that blurry. I think they just look that way b/c they were shrunk down to load to blogger. But you get the idea :)

Crystal Beach, TX

We had a wonderful time at the beach. Here is a collage I made on photoshop ALL by myself.

Catching up...

Hello all! Well, its been a fun few weeks!! Lake of the Ozarks was so nice! The girls had a great time with their cousins. And I had a great time at the outlet mall. I can't wait to go back! HA! Averi had a bout of roseola. It was a high fever followed by a bunch of red dots on her tummy. The fever was the worst part. Today SYDNI is home. She had a fever and puked yesterday. I think it was just the heat because she seems fine today.
Next trip is the BEACH!! I am so excited...hope I can keep everyone healthy. ugh...
Averi is suppose to go to the "pre-toddler" room at her daycare. She just went to "older infant" a couple months ago!! Shes getting so big...and by the way, is MUCH happier with her tubes. A happy baby makes a happy momma.
Big news for Sydni is Rachel Law, a photographer I take the girls to, emailed me and said that Syd's picture is being considered for the fall COVER of an adoptive parents magazine! How exciting is that?!? I told Jim she is going to be the next Cindy Crawford..we will be retired in Malibu by 40...heeheee. I hope its ok for models to eat pizza and mac 'n cheese because thats all the kid eats!

Last Lazy Weekend

Hi everyone! I know its been awhile and its likely to be even longer after this weekend. Let me give you a rundown of the Bottjen summer!

Next weekend- Dinner in Rogers for Joel's 30th birthday! Our friend Joel is turning 30 soon. He is going to Vegas (without me because he sucks) to celebrate but we are taking him and Alex to dinner at Johnny Carinos in Rogers with the Davis', the Settle's, the White's and of course ALL the kiddos. Should be interesting.
We are having a pool party the next day. Gotta celebrate the 4th of July by the pool!

Weekend #2- POKER night! Jim and I play poker once a month with a league the Settles started a couple years ago. We have a great time! I don't know why...I have yet to win! But I have been placing pretty high the last few months so maybe its coming!

Weekend #3- Lake of the Ozarks!! We are meeting up with Jim's family in Missouri. I am really looking forward to it. We usually see them every summer, but we missed last summer because Averi was just too small to travel. We are going to have 6 kids up there all 5 and under!!

Weekend #4- Dinner party at the Davis'. We just started this dinner party thing this year. I thought it would be fun for us to all get together every month with the kids. We rotate houses and bring side dishes. Its a lot of fun.

Weekend #5- We are leaving for Texas to hang out at my dad's beachhouse! WOO HOO! I can't wait! Dad, Trish, Aunt Patti, Uncle Ron, Lindsi and of course all of us...I am really looking forward to it. Sydni has never seen the ocean and course Averi hasn't either so it should be a really memorable trip.

By then we are in mid-August! WHEW! Our dinner party will be that month sometime...

So as you can see we are going to be so busy, but I am looking forward to all of it! As the girls get older there are so many things we are able to show them. Disney World is coming soon!! heehee

Branson

Thought I would detail our trip! We had a great time! The girls did pretty good on the trip. Averi slept til Fayetteville then she was DONE with the carseat. I would like to meet a baby that likes her carseat because I never had one. Sydni is now cool with riding in the car. Get her a movie going and she is good as gold.
We checked into the hotel on Sunday then headed to Branson Landing to cruise around. We looked in the shops but I didn't buy anything. I wanted to wait til we went to the outlet. They had some bounce arounds there which Sydni LOVES.
We had dinner at Joe's Crab Shack. Normally I like that place but our meals were just ok. Got back to the hotel around 630pm. We just hung out and gave the girls a bath in the big whirlpool tub. Sydni slept like a rock. Averi on the other hand fussed a bit through the night but made it til 7am in the hotel crib.

The next morning we went to Silver Dollar City. I am SO glad we brought the double stroller. At first I was thinking about not bringing it and just letting Sydni walk. But that was wayyyyyy too much walking for her. She did great in the stroller. She was all about the rides at the park. I was really surprised. They were pretty big but she jumped in line to every one of them that she could...with me or Daddy in tow.

Headed back to the hotel for a nap. Sydni was the only one that slept. Averi had taken a catnap in the car and was not interested in sleeping anymore. Finally got to go to the outlets!! FUN FUN FUN! The prices were awesome and the selection was even better. I am bringing more money next time!!

We went to dinner that night at Outback (not the chain). It wasn't that great either. Of course it didn't help that Averi was a little pill with NO nap.
Back to the hotel by 630pm again. I know that sounds lame but honestly it was nice to get to all hang out with little distractions. We just played.

We decided to go back to SDC the next morning since our tickets were good for 2 days. We were able to get some video of Sydni on the rides but not much. I felt bad that Averi was locked up in the stroller most of the time the day before so I chased her around the park while Daddy and Sydni rode the rides.

We headed home around noon. I sat in the back on the way home so Averi did much better.

Honestly she was a little angel most of the time. I think her ears are finally healed and her teeth aren't bothering her.

That night both girls slept like ROCKS. Sydni was asleep before I even left her room I think.

Our next big trip is to Osage Beach (Lake of the Ozarks) to meet up with Jim's family. I am really looking forward to it. Sydni should have a ball with all of her cousins.

Sorry its been so long since I have posted. I will try and be better! Check out the Branson pics on our site!

Pics by Joel

Joel took Sydni's pictures yesterday. He did a beautiful job. I don't know how I am going to choose. Thank you Joel! You are the best.

Click here to see them!!